Geraldine Louise “Jerry” Haffner Watkins, 92, of River Valley Place in Fort Madison, Iowa, formerly of Farmington, passed away at 12:18 a.m. Monday, October 9, 2023, at River Valley Place in Fort Madison.
She was born on April 24, 1930, the daughter of Carl and Irene Haffner in rural Farmington, Iowa. She was the first of seven children.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 59 years: Wendell; her sisters: Winona Mills, Larita Gibbs and Wanda Jane Wilken and one brother: Daniel Haffner.
Geraldine is survived by one brother: Joe (Linda) Haffner of Farmington, Iowa, and one sister: Romona Mills of Fort Collins, Colorado: two daughters: Judith Beger of West Point, Iowa and Sharon (Dave) Andrusyk of Palm Gardens, Nevada. She had five grandchildren including: Wendy (Loren) Caviness of Montrose, Iowa; Wyatt Coleman of Farmington, Iowa; Louisa Beger-McConnell of Fort Madison, Iowa; Amber Vincent of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Katherine (Wade) Warner of Selah, Washington and eleven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several special nieces and nephews.
Geraldine lived in rural Lee County Iowa her entire life. She was a one – room school teacher, a Sunday School teacher, a farm wife, and an accomplished seamstress. She was a member of and active in the Sharon Presbyterian Church. She and her husband were instrumental in the designation of the Sharon Cemetery as a historical sight.
Her interests included traveling with Wendell, genealogy research, gardening and visiting neighbors and friends.
Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Homes in West Point.
Burial will be at at Sharon Cemetery, rural Farmington, Iowa at a later date.
A memorial has been established in her memory.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.